New partnership between the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States and UN Women to enhance gender equality and women’s empowerment

Дата: 1 апреля 2014 г.

Brussels — A new partnership between the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and UN Women was signed today by ACP Secretary-General Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The ACP Secretariat and UN Women join forces via this new Memorandum of Understanding to support gender equality and women's empowerment through policy dialogue, advocacy and joint-programming to effectively advance women's rights in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Region. Cooperation will primarily focus on prevention and response to violence against women, on enhancing leadership and political participation of women, and the participation of women in peace and security, as well as supporting women’s economic empowerment. The partnership will contribute to accelerate efforts towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the future development framework, known as the post-2015 agenda.

“Gender equality is a moral and ethical imperative because it goes to the core of human rights. Humanity cannot succeed in fighting other forms of discrimination and violations of human rights if it does not manage to redress wrongs suffered by, rights denied to and privileges withheld from, women on account of social, cultural, political or economic pretexts. The international community must scale-up efforts and take practical steps to give effect to well-intentioned pronouncements and legal texts for gender equality and women empowerment at all levels of society. The ACP Secretariat is therefore pleased to be associated with UN Women in the advancement of this noble cause,” said Secretary-General Mumuni.

“There is overwhelming evidence that equality for women is progress for all. It leads to inclusive growth, reduces poverty and inequality and contributes to peace and security. Gender equality offers the world solutions to the challenges facing our generation, especially poverty, inequality and insecurity. UN Women is delighted to work together with the ACP Secretariat to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific,” said Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The MoU between the ACP Secretariat and UN Women was signed today during the visit of Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka to Brussels, to attend the EU-Africa Summit on 2 April 2014.

Background

On ACP

The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) is composed of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific states, with all of them, save Cuba, signatories to the Cotonou Agreement, also known as the "ACP-EC Partnership Agreement" which binds them to the European Union. There are 48 countries from Sub-Saharan Africa, 16 from the Caribbean and 15 from the Pacific. The ACP Group´s main objectives are sustainable development, peace and stability in a free and democratic society, solidarity and understanding among ACP countries. http://www.acp.int/